Test immediately and in-house to avoid bleeding complications by uncovering clotting disorders before a procedure

Screening of at-risk patients for clotting problems before a procedure to avoid bleeding complications during or afterward, when corrective measures can be extremely difficult, has never been easier. Just insert cartridge, add sample and read the result.

How to test

Insert a room temperature QuickVet® COAG PT/aPTT™ Cartridge into the analyzer and enter the cartridge code found on the label of the foil pouch.
Input if the sample is Canine or Feline by pressing the correct button on the screen.
Collect the sample using an evacuated or standard test tube containing 3.2% or 3.8% sodium citrate. Mix gently by inverting the tube at least 5 times to ensure proper mixing.
Confirm that the sample has been obtained in a sodium citrate tube and that is has been filled correctly to the appropriate fill line by pressing the Next button on the screen.
Enter the optional patient ID and sample ID and then press the Next button on the screen. The instrument is now heating the cartridge.
When prompted by the instrument use the plastic pipette supplied in the pouch to dispense one drop of blood into the sample well on the cartridge.
The blood will be drawn automatically into the cartridge and as soon as the instrument detects the blood, the test starts.
After 3-4 minutes the PT result together with the species relevant reference ranges are displayed on the screen and after 6-7 min. the aPTT is likewise displayed with reference values.
Print or record the result and discard the cartridge.

Evaluating the result

The process that leads to the formation of a blood clot is a complicated biochemical cascading process, that in coagulation theory have simplified into two interactive coagulation cascades referred to as the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways, both leading to the common pathway where fibrinogen is converted to fibrin forming a stable clot.
Prothrombin Time (PT) representing the external cascade and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) representing the internal cascade are general coagulation screening tests that are used to measure the functionality of the blood coagulation cascade.
If the factor activity is reduced (the ability to form a clot is reduced) this will manifest itself by an increased coagulation time compared to the natural state of the patient as represented by the reference range.
Please note that the best result from the test is obtained if you have the patients PT and aPTT reference values (base line) on file from performing a test during a normal routine exam.